"Tips for Tots," as the annual event is known, began in 2006 at the Greene Turtle in Salisbury, when bartender Corlie Brice came up with the idea after arriving for her shift and noticing that a neighboring business had been designated as a Toys for Tots drop-off site. She and another bartender ended up collecting $700 for toy purchases that night.

The program has since become an annual tradition at the Salisbury site, and in recent years, employees at other locations throughout the 34-unit chain have been inspired to follow suit. Last year, 10 Greene Turtle locations participated in the drive. This year, the initiative has spread to nearly twice that many locations, including the Greene Turtle taverns in Fells Point and McHenry Row.

The Greene Turtle corporate office is once again adding $500 to the donations for each restaurant that raises a minimum of $1,000 in tips on Dec. 11.

For a list of all Greene Turtle locations participating in Tips for Tots go to thegreeneturtle.com.

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